Television

GRB, Fox Incendo in deal with CTV for b'cast of 'Next Action Star'

19 May, 2004 - 03:30 PM IST | By indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment scores its first simulcast for Next Action Star by completing a deal with Canadian broadcaster CTV. The series launches in prime time throughout North America on 14 June, says a press release.

The event-driven reality series will be broadcast by CTV simultaneously with the NBC Network prime time launch set for 14 June. The announcement was jointly made on 18 May by GRB Entertainment president and CEO Gary R. Benz and Fox Incendo Television senior vice president / managing director Michael Murphy.

Fox Incendo Television represents GRB programs in Canada. Under the agreement, CTV will also hold rights to the Joel Silver-produced television movie, the final title of which is yet to be disclosed, that will feature the talents of the Next Action Star winners.

"Everyone knows what has happened to Mel, Bruce and Arnold thanks to their association with Joel Silver", commented Benz.He further added, "Now with ONext Action Star, talented men and women who aspire to become Hollywood's next action legend will have an opportunity to partake in a true competition where the stakes are unprecedented­ a starring role in a Joel Silver-produced film".

According to Murphy, "We have had a great deal of success placing GRB programming with Canadian cable networks over the past few years, but this is our first network sale for them and by far the largest broadcast deal for GRB programming in Canada".

"With weekly screen tests and a season-ending payoff ONext Action Star offers a fresh and exciting premise to viewers", said CTV's president of programming and chair of the media group Susanne Boyce.